About Marc Mencher

2. About Marc Mencher • 15 Year Game Industry Professional • President, GameRecruiter.com • Author, Get n the Game! Careers in the Game Industry • Serves on the advisory boards of several educational institutions GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

3. Active Game Industry Member/Contributor • Former President, International Game Developers Network (now IGDA) • GDC & IGDA speaker and roundtable leader • E3 panelist and moderator • Games-Florida evangelist • Writer for GIGnews, Gamasutra, GameWEEK and more • Technical / Executive Producer of several video games

4. Did You Know…? • 50% of all Americans ages 6+ play computer and video games • Women in the game industry earn 89 cents on the dollar versus the national average of 76 cents? • The game software industry doubled the growth of the US economy _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

5. Video Game Industry Growth GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

6. 5,000 new jobs every year… “An industry study in 2001 estimated that there were 29,500 people employed in the U.S. in digital games software development and that the industry's long term need for additional developers would be 15% per year, or about 5,000 new jobs a year.” – SMU Guildhall data _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

7. Demand Assessment Survey When students were asked, “Do you feel that computer game programming should be taught at Universities as part of the standard curriculum?” * Study Conducted at Columbia University GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

8. Sample List of Schools/Universities with Game Curriculum Masters and Bachelors Programs: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge MA) Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh PA) Cornell University (Ithaca NY) Drexel University (Philadelphia PA) George Mason University (Fairfax VA) Guildhall at SMU (Plano, TX) New York Institute of Technology (New York NY) New York University (New York NY) Northwestern University [Department of Computer Science] (Evanston IL) Pratt Institute (Brooklyn NY) Purdue University (West Lafayette IN) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy NY) Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester NY) Georgia Tech (Atlanta GA) _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

9. Specialty Schools Offering Associates Degree/BAs Academy of Art College (San Francisco CA) Academy of G.E.T. [Game Entertainment Technology] (Hollywood CA) Art Institute of (San Francisco, Philadelphia Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland,Seattle, Washington, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Diego, Charlotte, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale and Houston). DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond WA) Parsons School of Design (New York NY) Full Sail Real World Education (Winter Park FL) Game Institute, Inc. (New York NY) Ringling School of Art and Design (Sarasota FL) Westwood College of Technology (Denver CO) _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

10. Sample After Graduation Placement Ratios Full Sail Real World Education = 92% DigiPen Institute of Technology = 92% _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

11. $alary $tats Starting Salaries: Programmers: $ 40,000 – 60,000 + Bonus Program Artists: $ 35,000 – 55,000 + Bonus Program _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

12. “We’re not just geeks in dark basements wearing weird clothes anymore. “We’re geeks in dark basements wearing weird clothes and making money doing it!” _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

13. Character Modeler – Creates characters Environment Modeler – Creates 3D environments Skin/Texture Artist – Creates textures Concept Artist – Draws 2D Animator – Animates “boned” models Cinematic Artist – Creates cut scenes or movies Technical Artist – Converts art assets for game engine Careers in the Game IndustryARTIST JOBS _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

14. TYPICAL SKILLS FOR ARTISTS Photoshop 3-D Studio Max Maya Scripting Languages _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

15. Careers in the Game IndustryPROGRAMMER JOBS • Engine/Tools Programmer – Creates core game code and tools • Graphics Programmer – Codes graphic issues • Network Programmer – Multiplayer coding • AI Programmer – Codes the game’s intelligence _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

16. TYPICAL SKILLS FOR PROGRAMMERS C, C++, Java, and Assembly Network Physics / Math / 3D Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specializing in Graphics _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

17. Careers in the Game IndustryDESIGNER JOBS • Level Designer – Creates missions and is responsible for the “fun” within those missions • Game Designer – Visionary behind the game • Interface Designer – Designs menus, HUDs _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

18. TYPICAL SKILLS FOR DESIGNERS 3D Studio Max Maya Scripting Experience _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

19. Suggested Curriculums* Game Art Game Design Game Programming *Curriculums? Curricula? _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

20. Suggested Game Art Track Class 1 - Concept Art Creation Class 2 - Modeling 3D Worlds with 3ds max Class 3 - Modeling Characters with 3ds max Class 4 - Animating with 3ds max Class 5 - Modeling 3D Worlds with Maya Class 6 - Modeling Characters with Maya Class 7 - Animating with Maya Class 8 - Texturing for 3D Art Class 9 - Art Practicum _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

21. Suggested Game Design Track Class 1 - Understanding Visual Design Class 2 - User Interface Design and Implementation Class 3 - Introduction to Game Design Class 4 - Storytelling and Character Development Class 5 - Game Play and Game Balancing Class 6 - Designing Virtual Worlds Class 7 - Level Design Class 8 - Developing Online Games Class 9 - Developing Wireless Games Class10 - Game Design Practicum _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

22. Suggested Game Programming Track Class 1 - Game Engine Design and Integration Class 2 - Math & Physics for Game Programmers Class 3 - Game Programming with DirectX Class 4 - Game Programming with C++ Class 5 - Game Programming with Java Class 6 - Game Programming with OpenGL Class 7 - Programming for Massively Multiplayer Online Games. Class 8 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Class 9 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence Class10 -Debugging Basics Class11-Programming Practicum _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

23. Get your degree Create a demo Network – Let people know who you are and what you want to do Students Breaking Into the Industry _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

24. PortfoliosWHAT’S IN THEM • ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS SHOULD ALWAYS BEAR IN MIND THESE PORTFOLIO NEEDS • MODS • DESIGN DOCS • ART DEMOS • GAME CREATION TOOLS • CODE SAMPLES • COMPLETE GAMES Game Designer Portfolios • Make mods and levels • Create design docs Artist Portfolios • Always show your best stuff and remember to tailor to the job • Keep the length 2-4 minutes Programmer Portfolios • Make game creation tool • Always show finished work • Make complete games illustrating your specialty • Show code samples that are clean and well-documented _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

25. Attend Game Developers Conference Join IGDA and attend local meetings Read industry publications www.GIGnews.com www.Gamasutra.com www.GameDaily.com Write and publish industry-related articles Contact others who write articles Networking Musts _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

26. Specialty Resources • Programmers • www.GameDev.net • www.FlipCode.com • Artists • www.Flay.com • Designers • www.LevelDesigner.com _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

27. Arnold Palmer What does a Palmer-designed golf course say to you? _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

28. Wolfgang Puck What does a Puck-designed dinner say to you? _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

29. Will Wright What does a game designed by Will Wright say to you? _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

30. Marc Mencher Game Curriculum Designer _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

31. Your Curriculum GETTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT • Make sure you have a complete plan for your curriculum from the start • Look to other successful programs for ideas and inspiration • Keep in mind that at the end of it all, these students need a job • Consult with and take on as advisors game industry professionals • Personally research and review the current wealth of books available as teaching tools • Plan for portfolio-building activities like semester-end game contests • Yes, this is a serious business, but always keep in mind that, hey!, you’re making games! _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com

32. Good Luck and “Get In the Game”Regards, Marc Mencher _____________________________________________________________________ GameRecruiter.com, Inc. * Telephone: 866.358.GAME * Web Site: GameRecruiter.com